The heavily billed UMP Festival which started on Wednesday in Cape Maclear, Mangochi failed to live up to expectations largely due to power failure that disrupted performances.
On Friday, Lulu and DJ Mighty Virus failed to do their sets due to power failure. That meant an uneventful Friday evening.
However, there was a glimpse of resuscitation on Saturday as performances rolled into gear, much to the relief of festival-goers.
The impressive performances appeared to have set things in motion. The Black Missionaries Band was at its usual best, the Amahoro Drummers were unbelievably magical and the youthful models did not disappoint either.
But things took another nosedive on the final day as a number of artists which were billed to perform were nowhere near the venue.
That was coupled by a huge delay in the starting of performances which dismayed the patrons who had hoped for a high send off on the final day of the event.
One of the patrons, Luka Sabati from Lilongwe, bemoaned what he said a little regard of service from the event’s organisers.
“It appears they forgot some of their obligations. When people sacrifice their time and resources to come for such events, the least they expect is to receive half-hearted services. I feel we have been cheated,” he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of a symposium held on Saturday, Department of Arts administrator Anganile Nthakomwa said event organisers need to ensure that the execution of their events is worth what people pay for.
Our efforts to seek reaction from the organisers proved futile as the key figures from the festival did not respond to our questions by the time of going to press.
